Teaching Your Child to Floss

Has your chil d learned to floss yet? We know, sometimes it can be a bit of a battle getting children to brush without being reminded, never mind flossing. However, starting your young one out with good dental habits will make a huge difference down the line. A Wynwood, FL dentist offers a few pointers on this below.

Give Them A Say

Regular dental floss can be a bit much for some kids to manage. If your child has difficulty manipulating the floss, start out with some floss picks. You can get colored ones to make it a little more fun for your child.

Time It Right

There’s no one set age or milestone for when children should start flossing. In general, you’ll want to start as soon as your child is old enough to manage flossing on their own. In general, this should happen by about age 6 or 7.

Let Them Pick Their Supplies

Take your chil d shopping, and let them choose their toothbrush, toothpaste, rinsing cups, mouthwash, and floss. That personalization makes it more into something they have chosen, instead of something that is being forced on them. A girl may love a mermaid rinsing cup, while a young boy may want a dinosaur toothbrush.

Get A Kiddie Water Pic

Water flossers, as you may know, are an extremely effective way to clean between the teeth. Depending on your child’s age and responsibility level, you may want to get one with kid-proof electronics. This is also a good option for older kids that have braces.

Do It Together

When you are first teaching your child, do your dental care sessions together. This will help set in the idea that flossing is just one of the things you have to do to take care of your body, just like showering and combing your hair.

Re  wards

Kids respond very well to incentives and rewards. If you have a household organization chart, add flossing into it, and keep track of their progress. Or, just monitor this, and work it into their allowance or other privileges.

Communicate

It’s also important that your child understand why flossing is so important. Dental issues are no fun for anyone! Be honest with your young one.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Wynwood, FL dental clinic, we are here to help!